The $1.44 million project will add 220 feet to the Riverwalk, connecting it from a section now under construction north to MacDill Park along Ashley Drive.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who will formally announce the project Wednesday, has said he is committed to finishing the waterfront pedestrian walkway from the Channel District through Tampa Heights.

"This construction means we are a step closer to achieving that goal," he said in a statement announcing the project.

Contractor Orion Marine will build the new segment over the water around the CapTrust Building. Construction is expected to be done in February 2013.

Also Wednesday, Buckhorn is expected to introduce an audio cell phone tour of the waterfront developed by the private, nonprofit Friends of the Riverwalk.

The Friends say the self-guided tour will offer visitors historical insights about Tampa and up-to-date information about venues along the waterfront.

"When we give them more information about their walk, we think it's going to enhance their experience," said Roger Kurz, executive director of the Friends of the Riverwalk.

Signs along the river give a telephone number — (813) 319-8441 — that people can call at one of seven stations along the Riverwalk. For each station, the audio tour offers information about three to eight points of interest, 37 in all.

Though it will be officially unveiled Wednesday, the Friends were putting up signs for the audio tour Monday, and Kurz said the curious do not have to wait to check it out.

"It is live now," he said.

Richard Danielson can be reached at Danielson@tampabay.com, (813) 226-3403 or @Danielson_Times on Twitter.